ATHINA AVILA
Ridgefield Park
Summary
Results-driven healthcare professional with over 5 years of experience in medical operations, specializing in team leadership, strategic planning, and operational management. Proven ability to leverage effective communication and organizational skills to drive project success and enhance team performance. Demonstrated expertise in patient acquisition, consultation coordination, insurance authorization, and relationship management within high-volume medical and surgical environments. Bilingual with a strong aptitude for cross-functional collaboration, fostering productive work environments while consistently achieving organizational goals.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Referral Coordinator (Hybrid)
Hackensack Meridian Health
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
11.2024 - Current
- Provided comprehensive support for patients as a concierge contact, ensuring efficient appointment scheduling and specialty care coordination.
- Oversaw insurance authorization and referral workflows to guarantee timely service access.
- Executed retrieval and analysis of medical records and progress notes to ensure compliance and close referral loops.
- Engaged with clinical teams to refine processes that boost patient satisfaction and streamline operational workflows.
- Train staff across multiple offices on referral processes, documentation standards, and best practices
- Strengthened patient retention by implementing effective continuity of care strategies and delivering exceptional service experiences.
- Minimized scheduled appointment delays to enhance sales and revenue performance.
Referral Coordinator (Hybrid)
Medix (for Hackensack Meridian Health)
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
04.2024 - 11.2024
- Supported high-volume referral operations, authorizations, and patient communication
- Coordinated patient referrals to ensure timely access to specialized care.
- Assisted in optimizing workflows that reduced administrative backlogs and improved patient throughput
- Collaborated with multiple departments to ensure accurate documentation and billing readiness
Medical Receptionist / Operations & Sales Support
Englewood Health
New Milford, NJ
03.2023 - 04.2024
- Acted as first point of contact for patients, delivering a positive experience that encouraged retention and follow-up care
- Verified insurance and collected co-pays and outstanding balances, supporting practice revenue
- Scheduled appointments strategically based on provider availability and patient needs
- Coordinated referrals and external services to maintain continuity of care
Medical Receptionist – Plastic Surgery Practice
Northern Plastic Surgery Center
Englewood, NJ
08.2022 - 03.2023
- Assisted in patient education regarding procedures, pre-op requirements, and post-op care
- Managed patient scheduling, ensuring optimal appointment flow and reducing wait times.
- Collected payments, verified insurance, and supported surgical workflow efficiency
- Maintained a welcoming, high-end patient experience aligned with plastic surgery standards
Medical Receptionist / Medical Assistant
Lifeline Medical Associates
Hackensack, NJ
06.2020 - 08.2022
- Managed scheduling for surgeries, consultations, inductions, and procedures
- Coordinated insurance pre-authorizations for gynecological and obstetrical services
- Assisted providers during procedures and maintained accurate clinical documentation
- Educated patients on follow-up services, screenings, and ongoing care options
- Supported patient portals, data accuracy, and operational efficiency
Education
Bachelor of Science - International Business Administration
Universidad de las Américas
Quito, EcuadorSkills
- Medical & Surgical Operations
- Referral workflow
- Surgical Scheduling & Pre-Authorizations
- Insurance Verification & Billing Support
- Customer Retention
- Business & Administrative Skills
- Workflow Optimization
- Scheduling & Capacity Management
- Training & Team Support
- Epic Health ( Basic Cadence and HOD Front Desk Template)
- Athena Health
- ModMed
Certification
- Strategic Business Management & Project Management – PMI
- Introduction to IoT & Digital Transformation – Cisco Networking Academy
- Financial Markets – Yale University
- Project Management Tracker (Google Sheets)
Languages
Bilingual: English & Spanish
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Bilingual: English & Spanish
- Strong background in patient-facing sales environments
- Experience in plastic surgery, dermatology, primary care, and hospital systems
- Excellent communication, persuasion, and relationship-building skills
Timeline
Referral Coordinator (Hybrid)
Hackensack Meridian Health
11.2024 - Current
Referral Coordinator (Hybrid)
Medix (for Hackensack Meridian Health)
04.2024 - 11.2024
Medical Receptionist / Operations & Sales Support
Englewood Health
03.2023 - 04.2024
Medical Receptionist – Plastic Surgery Practice
Northern Plastic Surgery Center
08.2022 - 03.2023
Medical Receptionist / Medical Assistant
Lifeline Medical Associates
06.2020 - 08.2022
Bachelor of Science - International Business Administration
Universidad de las Américas